Urgent works are needed to fix a dangerous stretch of bike path in Footscray, according to a Docklands Cotton Mills business operator.
Bramshaw ICS managing director Simon Kemp said the Moreland Street shared path had posed a danger since it was built flush against the building several years ago.
“When they were pouring the concrete, one of the chaps from VicRoads said they didn’t know the gateway was being used,” he said.
“We pointed out the problem, but there was really not much done about it at the time. For a bike rider or pedestrian it’s horrendous.”
The driveway of Docklands Cotton Mills and a number of doorways open directly onto the bike path. Café operators report regular incidents of customers stepping onto the path and being injured by passing bikes.
Mr Kemp said serious accidents occurred almost every week, despite VicRoads alterations such as painted lines and warning signs.
Star Weekly has seen footage of a serious crash involving a car exiting the site into the path of a passing bicycle.
Mr Kemp said the risks could be reduced by re-routing the path away from the driveway and doorways via chicanes to slow bike traffic.
Western Metropolitan Greens MP ColleenHartland said she successfully lobbied VicRoads for works at the location, but more needed to be done. “I have written to VicRoads requesting immediate action.”
VicRoads regional director Patricia Liew said works carried out in 2012 included green pavement at conflict points, rumble strips to slow bicycle speed, extra warning signs and mirrors to improve visibility.
“Drivers entering and exiting the Docklands Cotton Mills site are reminded to drive slowly and watch out for passing cyclists and pedestrians,” she said.
“Cyclists are required to give way to all pedestrians on shared paths and alert them while overtaking by sounding a bell.”
Ms Liew said VicRoads had not recorded any crashes at the site in the past five years.
VicRoads will investigate additional signage at the location and install new traffic lights at the intersection of Whitehall and Parker streets by June next year.
